Deadline: October 7, 2022
Applications for the MEST Scale Accelerator 2023 are now open. MEST Scale is a venture acceleration programme designed by MEST, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, to help Small and Growing Businesses strengthen their operations, address key technology gaps and increase their ability and capacity to scale their growth.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in Ghana’s socio-economic growth. They represent over 80% of enterprises in the Ghanaian market. However, despite the significant role they play in the development of their communities and the economy, SMEs face a number of key challenges that make it difficult for them to scale up sustainably.
Programme Curriculum
- Month 1
- Scale diagnostics
- Month 2-4
- Scale challenge articulation (from diagnostic)
- Scale strategy development
- Operations and business modelling
- Investment readiness
- Month 5-6
- Scale plan pilot and wrap up
Benefits
- Tailored Advisory Support: Get seasoned business advice that responds to your specific needs
- Specialist Consultations: Area-specific experts provide consultation sessions and guidance
- Investor engagement: Get investor readiness support and growth capital linkages
- Technology Enhancement: Improve use of technology to enhance business development
Eligibility
MEST Scale is looking to support startups and SMEs that are ready to scale. They should meet the following requirements:
- Sales and traction
- Has annual sales minimum $150,000
- Demonstrates at least three years of strong revenue growth
- If unprofitable, has plan and path for financial breakeven
- Stage
- Commercially viable venture with strong product-market fit with a primary challenge of determining why, where, what, and how to scale
- Personnel and talent
- Minimum of 5 full-time management staff, total of 10 staff minimum
- Team should consist of more than 5 team members that are non-management staff
- Gender balance
- Companies with women in leadership and top management roles will be given preference
- Scalability
- The venture has a good blend of ambition and potential to scale
- Market
- Business must be based in Ghana & headquartered in the Greater Accra region
- Technology
- Must be a software technology business
Application
- Step 1: Fill out the general application form hosted on F6S
- Step 2: Shortlisted ventures are invited for the first round of interviews
- Step 3: Final list of companies are sent offers of admission
- Step 4: Admitted companies are onboarded into the programme
For more information, visit MEST Scale Accelerator.
